Electrical stimulation of the brain was studied to see if it helped subjects uncover new insights to solve a problem. In a recent experiment, 40 participants were trained to solve problems in a certain way and then asked to solve an unfamiliar problem that required fresh insight. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to receive electrical stimulation of the brain while the other half (control group) received a sham stimulation. The participants did not know which group they belonged to. In the control group 20% of the participants successfully solved the problem while 60% of the participants that received electrical stimulation successfully solved the problem. a. Is this a randomized comparative experiment or a matched pairs experiment? Briefly explain. b. Is there a placebo used in this experiment? If so describe the placebo and if you think it is a necessary part of the experiment. c. Based on the description, does the experiment appear to be double-blind, single-blind or not blinded at all. Briefly explain.
1. Electrical stimulation of the brain was studied to see if it helped subjects uncover new insights to solve a problem. In a recent experiment, 40 participants were trained to solve problems in a certain way and then asked to solve an unfamiliar problem that required fresh insight. Half of the participants were randomly assigned to receive electrical stimulation of the brain while the other half (control group) received a sham stimulation. The participants did not know which group they belonged to. In the control group 20% of the participants successfully solved the problem while 60% of the participants that received electrical stimulation successfully solved the problem.
a. Is this a randomized comparative experiment or a matched pairs experiment? Briefly explain.
b. Is there a placebo used in this experiment? If so describe the placebo and if you think it is a necessary part of the experiment.
c. Based on the description, does the experiment appear to be double-blind, single-blind or not blinded at all. Briefly explain.
d. List the variables in this experiment. For each variable, indicate whether it is quantitative or categorical. For each variable, indicate whether it is explanatory or response.
e. Make a two-way table of the data, by hand, and include totals. Clearly label for full credit. f. What percent of the people who correctly solved the problem had electrical stimulation? Show some work.
f. Find the proportion of people in the electrical stimulation group that successfully solved the problem. Find the proportion of people in the control group that successfully solved the problem. Find the difference in proportions. Use proper notation for each proportion and the difference in proportions. Show some work for each.
g. If we assume the difference is significant, does this provide evidence that electrical stimulation of the brain appears to help insight? Briefly explain
Trending now
This is a popular solution!
Step by step
Solved in 2 steps
